Paper-feeding machine



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No. 434,629. Patented Aug. 19, 1890.

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No. 434,629. Patented Aug. 19, 1890.

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PAPER FEEDING MACHINE. No. 434,629. Patented Aug. 19, 1890.

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P. HART. PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

N0. 434,629. Patented Aug. 19, 1890.

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F. HART. PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

Patented Aug.,19, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

FREDERIoK HART, or POUGHKEEPSIE, ASSIGNOR TO D. H. BURRELL & 00.,

or LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK.

PAPER-FEEDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,629, dated August 19, 1890. Application filed September 16, 1889. Serial No. 324,127. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known-that I, FREDERICK HART, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing in Poughkeepsie,inthecountyof Dutchess and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Paper-Feeding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to paper-feeding ma- Io chines which feed sheets of paper successively from a pile to a printing-press, ruling, folding, calendering, or other machine in which sheet-paper is used.

These machines consist, essentially, of a pile-supporting bed or table which is automatically raised as the sheets of paper are fed off, feed-fingers whereby the top sheet is removed, and carrying-tapes whereby the removed top sheet is delivered to the printingpress or other machine.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple machine of this character which is certain and reliable in its operation, and which can be readily adjusted to feed paper of different sizes.

5 tional elevation of the driving mechanism in line m 00, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary 1ongitudinal sectional elevation of the paperfeeder. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same. vation of the buckling mechanism with the buckling-finger removed. Fig. 10 is a sectional rear elevation of the buckling mechanism. Fig. 11 is a horizontal section-of the buckling mechanism'in line y y, Fig. 9. Fig. 5 2 is a setional elevation of the regulatingfoot. Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of the preliminary holding-down finger. Fig. His a transverse sectional elevation of the mechanism for raising the feed-table. Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the device for locking the buckling mechanism in place Fig. 9 is a sectional front elewhen adjusted. Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the same and connecting parts. Figs. 17, 1S, and 19 are vertical transverse sections in lines 00 a", y y, and z 2, Fig. 16, respectively. Fig. 20 is a longitudinal sectional elevation ofthe paper-feeder, showing the manner of operating the feed-fingers. Fig. 21 is a similar View showing the feed-fingers in a raised position. Fig. 22 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of one of the feed-fingers. Fig. 23 is a vertical cross-section of the same in line *0 c, Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is a fragmentary side elevation of the tape mechanism on an enlarged scale. Fig. 25 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 26 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same. Fig. 27 is a vertical section in line 00 50, Fig. 14.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A A represent the upright side frames of the machine, which are connected at their upper portions by rods a a and at their rear ends by cross-stays (do? B is the vertically-movable feed-table, upon 7 5 which the pile of paper is placed, and which is provided with laterally-projecting screwnuts I) Z), which are guided in upright ways formed on the side frames.

1) I) represent the vertical feed-screws So which work in the screw-nuts b b of the feedtable. The feed-screws are provided at their upper ends with-bevel-wheels 19 which are connected by a horizontal transverse shaft 1), journaled at the upper ends of the side frames and having bevel-wheels b 12 which mesh with the wheels of the feed-screws, so as to actuate both feed-screws simultaneously. The bevel-wheel b is provided-with a handle 5 so that it can be turned by hand in adjusto ing the, machine.

O 0 represent two movable frames carrying the buckling mechanism, one of which is arranged in a large machine on each side of the pile of paper, so as to buckle the sheet simul- 5 taneously from opposite sides, while in a small machine a single buckling mechanism may be used. These two buckling devices are identical in construction, and each is arranged on a carrying-head 0, supported on the front end of a longitudinally-adjustable rod 0. This rod is arranged in lugs c 0 formed IOO on a clamping-frame D, which is capable of transverse adjustment on the cross-rods a a.

E E represent the longitudinal cam-shafts which support the cams of each buckler, and which are journaled wit-h their front ends in the heads a and with their rear ends in bearings e 6' 6 formed on the lower sides of the clamping-frames D, as clearly shown in Fig. 7.

ff represent spiral gear-wheels, which are mounted on a transverse horizontal countershaft F, journaled in the side frames, and which mesh with corresponding spiral wheels f f, mounted on the cam-shafts E at right angles to the wheels f f. The angles of the teeth in the two sets of wheels are reversed, so as to actuate both buckling devices and simultaneously buckle the sheet inwardly from opposite sides of the sheet.

G, Figs. 4, 7, and 8, represents the buckling-finger pivoted to the lower end of a rockarm 9 and provided at its free end with a buckling-roller g, which rests upon the pile of paper. A forward-and-backward movement is imparted to the buckling-finger, and its roller may be journaled in the bifurcated front end of the buckling-finger in such manner that it is held against turning during the forward movement of the buckling-finger, so as to buckle the sheet of paper, and allowed to revolve during the backward stroke of the buckling-finger, or the latter may be provided with a bearing-pad of any other suitable construction.

The rock-arm g, carrying the buckling-finger, is pivoted at its upper end on a lug project ing from the upper end of the head 0, and a rocking motion is imparted to the arm by means of a crank 9 secured to the end of the cam-shaft and connecting with an inwardlyextending arm 9 of the rock-arm g by means of a link g. By employing this link-connection between the crank and the rock-arm a fast motion is imparted to the bucklin g-finger in its forward stroke and a slow motion during its backward stroke, while a pause is produced in the motion before beginning a new stroke in order to allow the pushing-out lingers to operate.

9 represents atension-rod, which is pivoted with one end to the central portion of the link g and passes with its free end through a swivel-post g", secured to the upper end of an upwardly-extending arm 9 formed on the buckling-finger.

9 represents a spring surrounding the tension-rod between the post 9 and a thumbscrew g, by means of which the tension on the buckling-linger can be regulated. The link 9* in moving the rock arm and bucklingfinger inwardly also moves the tension-rod inwardly, which latter, being pivoted on the link, travels in advance of the rock-arm g and slides through the post g, thereby com pressing the spring g and creating a downward pressure on the buckling-finger. The tension-rodis provided witha pin g which bears against the swivel-post g during its outward movement and raises the buckling-finger from the paper during its backward stroke.

ll represents the preliminary holding-down finger, arranged at a short distance in front of the buckling-finger and against which the top sheet is buckled by the initial portion of the forward stroke of the buckling-finger G. This preliminary holding-down finger has a vertical movement toward and from the surface of the pile of paper and is provided with actuating mechanism whereby it is held on the pile of paper and lifted therefrom just before the advancing buckling-finger reaches it, so as to allow the latter to pass underneath.

h represents a horizontal rock-shaft journaled in the inner lower portion of the carrying-head, and h is a slotted rock-arm, which is mounted on said shaft and carries the preliminary holding-down finger. The latter preferably consists of a block of rubber or other elastic material seated in a socket 7L2, having a thumb-screw h, whereby the rubber can be adjusted when worn. The socket is adjustably secured on the rock-arm 7t by a clamping-bolt h", secured to the socket and passing through the longitudinal slot in the rock-arm and held therein by a thumb-screw. A rocking motion is imparted to the rock-shaft 71, in one direction by means of acam 7L5, mounted on the cam-shaft in front of the carrying-head, and in the opposite direction by a balancingspring h.

' It represents a sleeve surrounding the rockshaft h and provided atits front end with an arm h, against which the cam 7L5 bears. The balancing-spring is secured with its ends to the arm 7L8 and the carrying-head a, so that when the cam moves the arm the spring will bestraiued. The sleeve h surrounding the rock-shaft h, is held in the carrying-head by a'collar 7L9 and a set-screw.

It represents a pin on the collar 71., and h is a coil-spring surrounding the rock-shaft h and bearing with its ends against the pin it and a similar pin 7H formed on a thumbpiecc 71 secured to the rock-shaft It, so that a connection and tension are maintained between the rock-shaft supporting the preliminary holding-down finger and the sleeve carrying the arm which bears against the cam h. This tension of the spring h can be regulated by means of the notches h on the thumb-piece, which engage overa pin h secured to the rock-shaft h. W'hen the cam its bears against the arm h and swings the up per end of the latter inwardly, the sleeve 71F, to which the arm is secured, is turned and creates a tension on the spring h, which tension is transmitted through the rock-shaft h to the preliminary holdingdown finger secured thereto, and which causes this holdingdown finger to bear heavily on the pile of paper. The balancing-spring h is under tension continually; but when the cam forces the arm h inwardly the tension of the balancingspring is increased, so that when the cam releases the arm h, and thereby removes the I lieved.

pressure from the tension-spring h, the contraction of the balancing-spring will raise the arm 7L8 and also lift the arm carrying the pre liminary holding-down finger from the paper by means of a stud h which is secured to the rock-arm h and engages in an openingin the arm h as clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

I represents the gage or foot, which rests upon the pile of paper and is arranged at a distance from the preliminary holding-down finger and beyond the range of movement of the buckling-finger. 'Thefoot I serves the double function of regulating the upwardfeed motion of the table B and acting as a main holdingdown finger, against which the top sheet is buckled when the latter has been released by the preliminary'holding-down finger. The foot I has a vertical movement toward and from the pile of paper, so as to release the sheet and allow it to be fed off from the pile.

t' is a longitudinal horizontal rock-shaft arranged above the rock-shaft h and journaled in a bearing 41, formed 011 the carrying-head c, and in bearings 1' 1 formed on the carryin g side of the clamping-frame D.

i is a rock-arm, which is secured to the front end of the rock-shaft t, and carries the gage or foot I. The latter is preferably composed of a block of rubber or other elastic material seated in a socket i provided with a screw-shank t passing through a fiat-sided nut adjust-ablysecured in a slotted arm i by means of a thumb-screw 2' The slotted arm 2' is secured to the outer end of the rock-arm i by a clamping-bolt i 1' represents a cam mounted on the cam shaft in rear of the head 0, and "L is an intermediate lever mounted loosely on the rock-shaft 'i and resting with its long arm 2' on the surface of said cam, While its short arm 2' is flexibly connected by a spring 11 to an upwardly-extending arm formed on the rock-arm i". \Vhen the cam bears upwardly against the long arm of the lever i as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, it causes the short arm to draw downwardly on the spring 2', and consequently causes the foot I to press firmly on the pile of paper.

2' represents a balancing-spring secured with its ends to the head 0 and the long arm "L of the intermediate lever i for raising the foot I when the sheet of paper is to be fed 01f from the pile. The balancing-spring 1' is continually under strain, and this strain is increased when the cam 1' moves the arm 2' of the lever upwardly and strains the spring 1' so as to depress the foot I. When the cam releases the lever 2', the strain on the spring i isremoved and the foot I is re- The rock-arm 2' is provided with a pin i against which the lower arm 71 of the intermediate lever engages as it moves upwardly, when the upper arm is released by the cam 2' and the balancing-spring contracts, thereby causing the arm 43 to raise ing the sheet to be removed.

J represents the vertically-movable pileretaining finger, which bears upon the corner of the pile of paper in rear of the buckling device and holds the pile in place while the top sheet is being removed. This pile-retaining finger is secured at its inner end to a horizontal rock-shaft J, arranged below the rock-shafts E h i and mounted in a bearing J formed on the lower side of the head 0.

j represents a sleeve surrounding the rockshaft J, and provided at its front end with an arm j, against which the cam bears. The sleeve 3' surrounding the rock-shaft J, is held in the carrying-head c by means of a collar 7' and set-screw j.

' f is a pin secured in the collar j and j is a coil-spring surrounding the rock-shaft J and bearing with its ends against the pinj and a similar pin 7' formed on a thumb-piece 7' secured to the end of the rock-shaft, so that a connection and tension are maintained between the rock-shaft carrying the pile-retaining finger and the sleeve carrying the arm which bears against the cam 7' The tension of the spring can be regulated by means of notches 7' formed on the thumb-piece, which engage over a pin 3' secured to the end of the rock-shaft J. \Vhen the cam f bears creates a tension on the spring j, which tension is transmitted through the rock-shaft to the pile-retaining finger J and prevents the pile from being disturbed while the separated sheet is being removed. When the cam j releases the arm 7', the tension on the spring j is removed and the pile-retaining finger rests loosely on the top of the pile, so as to .allow the advancing buckling-finger to draw the sheet from underneath the retaining-finger.

j is a short arm formed on the pile-retaining finger and resting on a pin j, formed on the arm j, whereby the pile-retaining finger is supported when the tension on the latter has been removed. 7' is a forwardly-projectin g lug, upon which the arm j rests when all of the paper has been removed, or when it is necessary to adjust the machine.

The buckling mechanism is adjusted to sheets of different sizes, as follows, and as most clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 14 to 19.

d d represent two wedges arranged longitudinally on the upper side of each clampingframe D, one at the front end and the other at the rear end thereof. These wedges are interposed between the lower side of the longitudinal rod 0 and the upper sides of the transverse rods (66/, for the purpose of lockingthe clamping-frame on the transverse rods against transverse movement in the machine, andat the same time looking the longitudinal rod 0 against longitudinal movement in the clamping-frame. Each wedge is composed the foot I from the pile of paper and allowagainst the arm j and turns the sleeve j, it V IIO of avertical outer portion d, which is beveled on its under side, and a horizontal inner portion dlwhich lies fiat on the top of the clamping-frame and is guided thereon longitudinally by a rib (1, formed on the clampingframe and bearing against the outer side of the horizontal portion of the wedge, while the inner side thereof bears against the contiguous inner side of the other wedge, as represented in Fig. 1G, in which the longitudinal rod c'isomittedandindicatedbydottedlines. The two wedges on each frame are moved simultaneousl yin opposite directions for clamping or releasing the parts by crank-pins (1 secured to the upper side of a disk (i and entering notches d in the horizontal portion (1 of the wedges. The disk is provided with a vertical shank cl", journaled in the clamping-frame and provided below the same with a handle, by which it is turned. The shank d" is fitted rather loosely in the bearin g in the clam pin gframe,so that it is capable of a limited move ment in the longitudinal direction of the wedges, whereby the shank can shift its position or yield when one wedge tightens before the other, and thus enable the other wedge to tighten also, which would not be possible if the shank were fitted snugly in its bearing.

Upon releasing the wedges the buckling mechanism can be adjusted longitudinally in the machine by sliding the rod 0 and the rockshafts i E in the clamping-frame, and the buckling mechanism can also be adjusted transversely in the machine by sliding the clamping-frame on the transverse rods to a, so that by these two adjustments, which are effected at right angles to each other, the entire buckling mechanism can be adjusted to the position of the corner of the pile on the table without in any manner disturbing the relative adjustment of the different parts of the buckling mechanism. The buckling mechanism is in this manner released or secured in position by simply manipulating the handle (1, so that the operation of adjusting the bucklingmechanismisextremelysimple. The upper sides of the wedges are preferably ta- )ered and en a e in a corres ondin l -t tb t) b pered feather-wayin the lower side of the rod 0, which prevents the latter from rocking, while allowing it to be adjusted longitudinally.

Each of the movable frames 0 carrying the buckling mechanism, is composed of longitudinal supporting-rods C and longitudinal rock-shafts 2' and E, all of which are supported in suitable bearings on the clampingframe D, so as to permit of longitudinal adjustment of the buckling mechanism by sliding the rod and shafts in their bearings in the clamping-frame. The latter is supported on the transverse rods ac and counter-shaft F, so as to permit of transverse adjustment of the clamping-frame, together with the longitudinal rod c, shafts 2' and E, and the buckling devices attached thereto. The lower spiral wheels f f are each provided with a key engaging with a feather in the longitudinal cam-shaft E, so as to turn with the latter. The bearings e 6, formed on the lower side of the clamping-frame on opposite sides of the spiral wheels f f, confine these wheels and prevent longitudinal movement of the spiral wheels ff when the shafts E are adjusted. The upper spiral wheels f f are each provided with a key which engages with a feather-way formed in the transverse counter-shaft F, so as to revolve with the same. The bearings c 0, formed on the'clamping-framc and supporting the counter-shaft F on opposite sides of each spiral wheel f, confine the latter and compel it to move with thebuckling mechanism and the clampingframe when the latter is adjusted transversely. The main support ing-rod c of the movable buckling-frame is supported in lugs (1%, formed on each end of the clamping-frame directly above the transverse rods a a.

The mechanism whereby the feed-table is raised automatically is constructed as follows, and as most clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7, 8, and 14:

0 represents a roek-arm,which is mounted on the rock-shaft 2", to which the main holding-down finger is attached. This rock-arm is attached at the front end of the clampingframe D and partakes of a rocking motion as the main holding-down finger moves toward and from the pile and serves to regulate the upward-feed motion of the table B. The upper end of the rock-arm O is provided with a rollero', which engages against the lower side of a trip-lever 0 The latter is pivoted at one end to a bracket 0 secured to the clampingframe and provided at its free end with an upwardly-extending lug 0 which bears against the lower side of a transverse horizontal rocking plate 0 pivoted on the horizontal shaft 11 by means of perforated lugs 0.

0 represents a rocking elbow-lever pivoted on the shaft Z1 between the rocking plate 0 and the bevel-wheel I). The elbow-lever is provided at its upper end with a pawl 0 engaging with a ratchet-rim 0, formed on the periphery of the bevel-wheel b, and its lower arm is provided with a roller 0 which is adapted to bear against a cam o, secured to the end of the counter-shaft F in order to actuate the ratchet-wheel. The elbow-lever is provided with a pin 0, which engages with an npwardly-extending arm 0 formed on the rocking plate 0 which compels the rocking plate and rocking elbow to rock in unison. The trip-lever is provided on its lower side with a notch 0 and a curved path or face 0", formed concentric with the rockshaft 1', carrying the rock-arm o and foot I. As the foot I moves up and down on the pile of paper when the latter is at a normal height, the rolleroat the upper end of the rock-arm O oscillates in the concentric path on the lower side of the trip-lever. The latter remains stationary and holds the rocking plate and elbow-lever in an elevated position, so

per side of the cam o that the roller 0 at the end of the elbow-lever will be raised and held out of engagement with the cam 0. When a sufficient number of sheets have been fed olf from the pile of paper to necessitate raising the table, the foot I in bearing on the paper descends to a greater distance, owing to the removal of the sheets, and the end of the arm carrying the roller 0 oscillates through a correspondingly-larger are, which causes it to pass beyond the concentric path 0 and underneath the notch 0, thereby allowing the trip-lever to drop down, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. The descent of the trip-lever permits the front end of the rocking plate to drop, and the latter carries the elbow-lever with it, which causes the roller 0 to bear on the up- The latterin revolving raises the roller and the elbow-lever and causes the pawl 0 at the other end to move the ratchet-wheel, whereby the shaft b is turned and the bevel-wheels Zfb on the shaft b are caused to turn the feed-screws b b and raise the feed-table. This action continues until the table has been raised to a position in which the foot I resting on the pile confines the oscillations of the rock-arm to the concentric face of the trip-lever, when the roller 0 is again held out of engagement with the cam 0 The rock-arm O, which actuates the feedtable mechanism, is mounted only on one of the rock-shafts i, and the rocking plate 0 is of sufficient length, so that the buckling mechanism can be freely adjusted transversely without disengaging the trip-lever from the rocking plate.

The rock-arm O is provided with a key 0 as represented in Fig. 27, which attaches the rock-arm to the clamping-frame, and which engages in a groove in the rock-shaft, so that the arm is compelled to rock with the latter, but is prevented from movinglengthwise with the shaft when the latter is adjusted in the clamping-frame.

K represents the feeding-fingers whereby the top sheet is removed from the pile to the tapes L L, which deliver it to the printingpress or other machine. The free end of each feeding-finger is provided with a roller similar to that on the buckling-finger, or a pad of rubber or other elastic composition seated in a socket 7a, which tapers downwardly, so as to retain the pad. The socket is attached to the finger by a dovetail, which engages over a dovetail shank on the finger and is held thereon by a set-screw k, as represented in Figs. 22 and 23. The feeding-fingers are pivoted to the lower ends of depending rockarms 10 which are adjustably secured at their upper ends to a transverse horizontal rockshaft journaled in bearings formedat the upper ends of the side frames. A rocking motion is imparted to this shaft from the transverse shaft F by a crank 70, secured to the end of the transverse shaft F and connected with the rock-arm of the rock-shaft k by a link 70 as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Each finger is provided with a pressure-rod k pivoted with its lower end to the finger and passing loosely with its upper end through a rearwardly-projecting lug k formed on the rock-arm 70 k is a coil-spring surrounding the rod k below the lug 70 and bearing with its ends against the latter and a screw-nut 70 on the pressure-rod,by means of which the pressure of the spring on the feed-finger can be regulated. The upper ends of the pressure-rods terminate in hooks 70 which project over a transverse horizontal rocking plate-k, pivoted at its ends in bearings 70, secured to the rock-shaft 70 V A rocking motion is imparted to the rocking plate in one direction by means of a cam is, which engages against a rock-arm 10 secured to the end of the rocking plate, and in the opposite direction byaspring 10 secured with its ends, respectively, to the rock-arm k and the adjacent side frame, as represented in Figs. 2 and 20. At the beginning of the forward stroke of the feed-fingers the pressure of the spring 76 on the latter is greatest, which insures a positive separation of the top sheet from the pile. At the same time the roller is" on the front end of the rock-arm Z0 bears on the abrupt rise of the cam 10 which lowers the rocking plate below the hooks on the upper ends of the pressurerods, as shown in Fig. 20. As the feed-fingers move forward, the angle between the feed-fingers and the depending rock-arms supporting the same becomes more obtuse, which causes the pressure of the springs 7c upon the feed-fingers to be gradually reduced as the feed-fingers continue to move forward and allow the pressure-rods to slide through lugs k WVhen the feed-fingers have nearly finished their forward stroke, the hooked ends of the pressure-rods bear upon the rocking plate. In the meantime the cam in has revolved, and now presents the beginningof the descent to the rock-arm 7e asshown in Fig. 21, which allows the spring 10 to suddenly draw down the rockarm k and raise the rocking plate, with the pressure-rods resting by their hooks on the plate. This causes the rods' to lift the feed-fingers from the paper the moment the feed-fingers reach the limit of their forward stroke. By connecting the rock-shaft of the feed-fingers with the counter-shaft F in the manner described a slow motion is given to the feed-fingers at the beginning of the stroke, which enables them to separate and start the sheet of paper moving, and then the speed of the fingers is gradually increased, so that at the end of the stroke the feed-fingers and the sheet travel at the same speed as the tape-wheels. The feed-fingers are then raised from the paper, whereby the former are prevented from retarding the sheet as it is carried away by the tapes.- The pressure-rods k are preferably jointed by means of a screwrthreaded portion ICC IIO

k and screw-nut 7e so that the height to which the feed-fingers are lifted on the return-stroke can be regulated. The rocking plate extends transversely underneath all of the hooks on the pressure-rods, so that the feed-fingers can be adjusted to any position laterally and be raised simultaneously from the paper. The rocking plate is preferably provided with a stiffening-rib 7e arranged at right angles thereto.

F represents a longitudinal brace which connects the shafts F, b, and k and rods a a and prevents them from vibrating owing to their length.

M represents the main driving-shaft journaled in bearings formed on the rear ends of the side frames, and m is a sprocket-wheel mounted 011 the shaft M, to which motion is transmitted from the printing-press shaft N by means of a sprocket-wheel 72 mounted on the latter and connecting with the wheel m by a sprocket-chain m.

m represents a gear-wheel mounted on the opposite end of the driving-shaf t, which transmits motion to the gear-wheel m on the end of the counter-shaft F by means of an intermediate gear-whecl m. The lat-tor is mounted 011 the end of an arm m pivoted with its upper end on a boss m, formed on the side frame and surrounding the counter shaft F, so that the gear-wheel m can be adjusted concentrically with reference to the wheel m and allow the gear-wheel m to be changed for a larger or smaller wheel in order to increase or diminish the speed of the buckling mechanism. The arm m is provided with an arm m having a slot m and 'm is a pin secured to the side frame and passing through the slot m ofthe arm m an is a cam pivoted to the outer end of the pin on and bearing against the arm m The cam is provided with a handle on, by

means of which the cam can be loosened and tightened when it is desired to shift the arm m to change gears on the driving-shaft, as

shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The drive mechanism of the machine is preferably arranged adjacent to the side frame A, and the mechanism for operating the feed-table is arranged adjacent to the side frame A, so as to balance the working parts of the machine.

P, Figs. 2t, 25, and 26, represents the lower delivery roller mounted on the driving shaft M.

L represents the lower carrying-tapes running around the roller P, thence forwardly and around a roller 1), thence rearwardly and around a roller 1), thence forwardly underneath the roller 13 and around a roller 13 and thence rearwardly to the roller P.

L represents the upper carrying-tapes, which are arranged above the lower tapes and run with their lower portions in contact with the lower tapes and over the feed-board L The upper tapes L run around wheels P, which are arranged over the lower deli veryrod 0. and pressed downwardly by a spring g, which is secured to a collar q and bears upon a cross-bar q of the arm Q, as represented in Figs. 8 and 20. The collar 1 is sccured to the rod a between the upper jaws of the arm Q by a set-screw. Each wheel is provided with a tape-guide g, which is secured to an arm (1 projecting upwardly from the arm Q.

The wheels T are mounted upon a shaft g, which is j our-naled in the arms Q, and preferably made so thin that it will bend and yield, so as to permit each wheel to adjust itself to any inequalities that may exist in the paper. The shaft is rotated from the driving-shaft M by gear-wheels q (1 The roller P around which the delivery portions of the upper carrying-tapes run, is journaled in bearings g, which are hinged at their front ends to base-plates (1 which are secured to the feed-board L The bearings are provided with set-screws q by which the roller can be raised or lowered so as to adjust the upper tapes with reference to the lower tapes. The roller p around which the delivery portions of the lower tapes run, is jour- IOC naled in bearings 9 seen red to the receiving end of the feed-board, and the intermediate rollers pp are journaled in bearings 19 1), supported upon longitudinally adjustable rods 19, arranged on each side of the tape mechanism. The rods 11 are supported near the feed-board in swiveling bearings p pivoted concentric with the shaft of the roller 19 and at their front ends by rollers pfiwhich rest on curved guides '1", secured to the horizontal bars 7'. The bearings p p of the intermediate tape-rollers p p are capable of longitudinal adjustment on the rods 19' by means of set-screws 19", so that a proper tension can be put upon the lower tapes. The uppermost surfaces of the rollers Ppp of the lower tapes and the incline of the feed-board are arranged in line so as to maintain the upper portion of the lower tapes parallel with the lower portion of the upper tapes running in contact therewith. The rods 19 are secured in the swiveling bearings 13 by means of setscrews p which enables the intermediate rollers 19 p to be adjusted longitudinally, so that the distance from the roller 19 to the rear end of the feed-board can be adjusted to correspond to the length of the sheet of paper which is fed to the press. \Vhen the sheet has been carried forward between the carrying-tapes until it strikes the front guides q, the rear portion of the sheet should clear the intermediate roller 1) and drop into the depressed space P formed above the depressed portion of the lowertapes. The sheet after dropping into the space P is carried forward by the slight friction between the lower tapes and the sheet and between the sheet and the upper tapes above the roller 19 until it strikes squarely against all of the front guides q. The lower points of the intermediate rollers p p and the uppermost point of the end roller 19 are in line, so that those portions of the lower tapes which run from the roller 1) to the roller p Will bear lightly against the bottom of the roller 13, and thereby prevent the sheet which has been dropped into the depressed space from being carried backward and under the roller 1).

In adjusting the intermediate rollers 19 19 back and forth in accordance with the size of the sheet the supporting-rods p of these rollers are moved longitudinally in the swiveled bearings p and the ends of these rods ascend or descend on the inclinesr'. As the intermediate rollers approach the end roller 19 the swivel-bearin gs 19 turn backwardly on the shaft of this roller, whereby the intermediate roller 19 is raised with reference to the roller 1), so that in all positions of the intermediate rollers the upper su rfaees of the rollers P, p, and p are kept in line with each other and with the upper inclined surface of the feed-board by reason of this peculiar mounQing of the roller and the shape and angle of the inclines r. By thus keeping these,

rollers in line a uniform contact between the upper and lower tapes is maintained in all positions of the rollers. The lower surfaces of the intermediate rollers are kept in line with the upper surface of the end roller 19 by reason of the supporting of the intermediate rollers upon the rods 19 and the attachment of these rods to the bearings p hung upon the shaft of the end rollers, so as to swing concentric therewith.

N represents the printing-press shaft, and N is the clutch mounted thereon, by means of which the paper-feeder is set in motion when the press and feeder are in register, so that the sheet of paper will be fed to the press at the proper time.

'n represents a sprocket-wheel mounted loosely on the shaft N, and n is a star-wheel pivoted to the front side of the same.

S represents a sleeve mounted upon the shaft N and engaging with its periphery in one of a series of concentric notches formed in the periphery of the star-wheel. In the position of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the sleeve S is withdrawn by the hand-lever N and the clutch is thrown out of engagement. The object of this clutch is to enable the paper-feeder to be disconnected from the -press without disturbing the register of the driving mechanism between them when the press is being made ready, during which operation the press is usually revolved a few times for trial prints.

The operation of my improved machine is as follows: The pile of paper being placed upon the feed-table and the latter being raised to the proper height, the pile-retaining finger J, buckling-finger G, preliminary holding down finger H, main holding-down finger or foot I, and feed-fingers K, all rest upon the top sheet. The buckling-finger G in its forward movement draws the corner of the top sheet from under the pile-retaining finger J and buckles the corner of the sheet against the preliminary holdingdown finger H, thereby forming a shortbuckle in the pap 3r. Just before the buckling-finger in its forward movement reaches the preliminary finger the latter is quickly raised from the top sheet, thereby releasing the top sheet between the buckling-finger and the regulating-foot I, and allowing the former to pass beyond the preliminary holding-down finger. The bucklingfinger continuing its advancing movement buckles the partly-separated sheet against the foot and separates the sheet the entire distance from the buckling-finger to the foot 1. During the last portion of the forward stroke of the buckling-finger the pile-retaining finger is caused to press on the corner of the pile and hold the same in place. The pressure of -the buckling-finger on the paper is greatest atthebeginningof the stroke, which insures a thorough separation of the top sheet.

IOU

gers and the tapes to remove the sheet from the pile to the printing-press. The capacity of the paper-feeder is dependent largely upon the forward speed of the buckling-finger, and all the parts of the machine are regulated in accordance with the speed of the latter. Vhen the buckling-finger has reached the limit of its forward stroke, it is raised from the paper and returned in its elevated position to the starting-point, where it is again lowered on the paper and full pressure applied by the tensionspring preparatory to buckling another sheet. The preliminary holding-down finger and the regulating-foot are pressed upon the top sheet by springs which are strained by cams,thereby giving the finger and foot a yielding pressure upon the paper, and they are raised therefrom by balancing-springs. These springs provide elastic supports for the finger and foot in both directions. The buckling-finger is given a yielding pressure upon the paper by the spring g and a positive upward motion away from the paper by the pin g formed on the rod 9 Pressure is applied to the pile-retaining finger by the cam when the top sheet is being removed from the pile, which pressure is removed when the buckthe nippers of the printing-press T.

ling-finger draws the sheet from under the pile-retaining finger and allows the latter to rest loosely on the sheet. After the sheet has been buckled and separated the regulatingfoot I is lifted from the top sheet and the feedfingers K begin their forward movement seize the sheet and present it to the rollers L L and carrying-tapes P P. The pressure of the feed-fingers on the paper is greatestat the beginning of the stroke, which insures a positive separation of the top sheet from the pile. When the sheet has been separated by the feed-fingers, the pressure on the latter is gradually relieved and is least at the end of the stroke. A slow motion is given to the feed-fingers at the beginning of the stroke, so as to enable them to start the sheet of paper moving, and then the forward speed of the fingers is gradually increased, so that at the end of the stroke the feed-fingers and sheet travel at the same speed as the tapewheels. By raising the fingers from the paper they are prevented from retarding the sheet as it is carried away by the tapes. The feed-fingers are returned in an elevated position to the startingpoint, where they are again lowered nponthe paper and full pressure is applied to the fingers. The sheet of paper is carried forward by the carryi ng-tapes and delivered into the depression P of the lower tapes, in which the sheet rests momentarily until it is aligned and registered by suitable mechanism. \Vhile the sheet is so resting and being aligned'the next succeeding sheet is carried forward by the tapes and partly-overlaps the sheet in the depression before the resting sheet is carried away by By allowing one sheet of paper to overlap the resting preceding sheet the tape mechanism of the feeder is considerably shortened.

The object of employing two buckling devices arranged on opposite sides of the machine is to enable sheets oflarger dimensions to be fed than has been possible heretofore by a machine employing a single buckling device.

I am aware that prior to my invention the buckling mechanism has been mounted in a movable frame arranged above the table of the machine and made adjustable lengthwise of the machine, and I do not claim this construction broadly.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, with the buckling-finger, of an arm to which the finger is pivoted, a crank and link whereby said arm is oscillated, an actuatingrod connecting said link with the buckling-finger, and a spring interposed between the actnatingrod and the buckling-finger,wl1ercby a grad uall y-decreas ing pressure is applied to the buckling-finger during its forward stroke, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the buckling-finger, of a rockarm to which it is pivoted, a rotating shaft provided with a crank, and a link connecting the crank with the rock-arm, whereby a quick forward movement and a slow backward movement are imparted to the finger, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the buckling-finger, of a rock-arm to which the finger is pivoted, a rotating shaft provided with a crank, a link connecting the crank with the rockarm, and a rod connecting the link with the finger, whereby the finger is depressed during its forward movement and elevated during its backward movement, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the holding-down finger, of a tension-spring connected with the finger, and depressing mechanism connected with the spring,whereby the spring is strained and the finger is depressed by the spring with increasing pressure, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the holding-down finger, of a balancing-spring by which the finger is raised, a tension-spring by which the finger is depressed, and depressing mechanism connected with the tension-spring,\vl1ereby the spring is strained and the finger depressed, substantially as setforth.

0. The combination, with the preliminary holding-down finger, of a tension-spring 71., a rotary sleeve 7L7, provided with an arm h", and the rotary cam h, bearing against said arm, whereby the tension-spring is strzfined and the finger is depressed, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the preliminary holding-down finger provided with a pin h of a tension-spring h, a rotary sleeve h ,pr0- vided with an arm h, and having an opening in which the pin h engages, a rotary cam 7L5, bearing against the arm h a head 0, and a balancing-spring h, connecting the arm h with said head, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the holding-dowui finger provided with a pivot to which it is secured and the bearing to which said pivot is secured, of a tension-spring coiled around said pivot and secured with one end to said bearing, a notched washer to which the opposite end of the tension-springis secured and which is capable of turning on said pivot, and a stop secured to the pivot, on which the washer can be locked for regulating the tension of the spring, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, with the holding-down finger and a rotating cam i" of an intermediate lever 2', against which the cam bears, a balancing-spring i connected with the intermediate lever, and a tension-spring 2', connecting the intermediate lever with the main holding-down finger, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with theholding-down finger and a rotating cam 2', of an intermediate lever 1?", against which the cam bears, a balancing-spring 11 connected with the intermediate lover, a tension-spring 11", connecting the intermediate lever with the main holding-down finger, and a stop on the main holding-down finger against whichthe inter-. mediate lever engages for raising said finger, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination, with the pile-retaining finger J, provided with an arm j, of the rock-arm j, provided with a stop 7' against which-the arm j engages, and whereby the downward movement of the pile-retaining finger is limited, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination, with th e'pileI-retaining finger provided with an arm j, of the rock-arm j, provided with a stop 7' against which the arm j engages,'and the head 0, provided with a stop 7' on which the rockarm j is'supported, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination, with the main holdingdown finger and the rock-shaft on which it is mounted, of a rock-arm mounted on said shaft, a trip-lever which is normally held by said rock-arm when the main holding-down finger is in its normal position, and which is allowed to move out of its normal position when the main holding-down finger descends belowits normal position, and a feed mechanism which is set in motion by the trip-lever'moving out of its normal position, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination, with the main holdingdown finger and its rock-shaft, of a rock-arm O, secured to said shaft, a trip-lever 0 provided on its under side with a concentric face 0 and a notch 0 and a ratchet-feed which is controlled by said trip-lever, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination, with the main holding-down finger and its rock-shaft, of a rockarm 0, secured to said shaft, a trip-lever 0 provided on its under side with a concentric face 0 and a notch 0 a rocking plate 0 resting on said trip-lever, a pawl-leverconnected with said rocking plate, and a ratchetwheel and feed-screws, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination, with the stationary frame having transverse guides or rods, of a clamping-frame adj ustably mounted on said rods, a buckling-frame made longitudinally movable in the clamping-frame, and buckling mechanism mounted in said buckling-frame, whereby the buckling mechanism can be adj usted longitudinally in the machine by adjusting it in the clamping-frame and transversely by adjusting the clamping-frame on the transverse guides or rods, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination, with the stationary frame having transverse rods, of a clamping frame adjustably mounted on said rods, a buckling-frame provided with a longitudinal rod which passes loosely through the clamping-frame, and clamping-wedges interposed between the transverse rods and the longitudinal rod, substantially as setforth.

18. The combination, with the stationary frame having transverse rods, of a clamping frame adjustably mounted on said rods, a buckling-frame provided with a longitudinal rod which passes. loosely through the clamping-frame, clamping-wedges interposed between the'tran'sverse'rods and the longitudt.

nal rod, and a crank-disk and pins, whereby the wedges are simultaneously operated, subtransverse driving-shaft journaled in the clamping-frame and provided with a gear- Wheel meshing with the wheel on the longitudinal shaft, substantially as set forth.

2O. The combination, with the clampingframe and the buckling mechanism,of a transverse driving-shaft passing loosely through the frame, a gear-wheel mounted on saidshaft and held against transverse movement between bearings formed on the clamping-frame, and a longitudinal'shaft actuating the buckling mechanism and journaled in the clamping-frame and provided with a gear-wheel meshing with the gear-wheel on the transverse shaft, substantially as set forth.

21. The combination, with the stationary frame provided with transverse rods, of a clamping-frame adj ust bly mounted on said rods, a transverse driving shaft passing through the clamping-frame, a gear-wheel mounted on said shaft between bearings on the clamping-frame, alongitudinalshaft made adjustable in the clamping-frame, a gear Wheel mounted on said shaftand held against longitudinal movement between bearings on said frame, and a buckling mechanism actuated by said longitudinal shaft,- substantially as set forth.

22. The combination, with the stationary frame provided with transverse rods, of a clamping-frame adjustably mounted on said rods, a longitudinal rock-sh aft passingloosely through the clamping-frame, a rock-arm 0, attached to the clamping-frame and provided with a key which engages in a groove in the rock-shaft, a trip-lever resting on the rockarm, and a table-feed mechanism connected with the trip-lever, substantially as set forth.

2,3.fThe combination, with the transverse rock-shaft, the depending arms secured thereto, and the feed-fingers attached to said arms, of a rotating crank, a link connectedwith said crank, and a rock-arm secured to said shaft and connected to said link, whereby a forward movement of gradually-increasing speed is imparted to said fingers, substantially as set forth.

24. The combination, with the transverse rock-shaft provided with depending arms and the feed-fingers pivoted to said arms, of the tension-rods attached to the feed-fingers, and

springs applied to said rods and bearing against the rock-arms, substantially as set forth. 

